Talk Art

by Russell Tovey, Robert Diament

Overview

"All we wanted to do was make art accessible, non-academic, non-elitist, gossipy and fun" (Russell Tovey, quoted in the New York Times)

Engaging, informative and open to everyone, Talk Art established itself as the must-listen cultural podcast in both the UK and the US, and it has now garnered 1.5 million downloads. With infectious enthusiasm, Russell and Robert have opened the doors to the art world and have welcomed people of all ages and backgrounds into the conversation.

Talk Art, the book, is a beautiful and accessible celebration of contemporary art and a guidebook to navigating and engaging with the art world. Informal and jargon-free, this book proves that art really is for everyone. With a wealth of knowledge, Talk Art will become the must-have book that art lovers return to again and again.

The book features highlights from interviews with: Tracey Emin, Rose Wylie, Helen Cammock, Jordan Casteel, Edward Enninful, Jerry Saltz, Elton John, Billy Porter, Grayson Perry, Michael Stipe, Lena Dunham, Rose McGowan, Ian McKellen, Deborah Frances-White, David Shrigley, Toyin Ojih Odutola and Michael Craig-Martin, among others.

Chapters include:

• Art & Feminism
• Photojournalism as Art
• Art & Political Change
• How to Navigate the Art World
• How do I Create My Own Collection?
• Make Your Own Art
• Highlights from popular features of the podcast, including 'Art Heist' and 'Favourite Colour'

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781797214245
Publisher:	Chronicle Books LLC
Publication date:	05/18/2021
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	661,949
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 9.20(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Russell Tovey is an actor best known for appearing in the films The History Boys and he Good Liar and the television series Years and Years, Being Human, Doctor Who, HBO's Looking and ITV's The Sister. He is also a passionate art collector, with more than 300 pieces, and a judge for the prestigious Turner Prize 2021. He lives in the UK.

Robert Diament is the director of the Carl Freedman Gallery and Counter Editions (a company that produces prints and multiples by leading contemporary artists such as Tracey Emin, David Shrigley and Martin Creed). Before working in art, he was the lead singer of electropop band Temposhark. He lives in Margate, Kent, in the UK.

Table of Contents

Foreword Jerry Saltz 7

Welcome to talk ART 8

What does Contemporary Art Mean to Us? 12

Discovering Contemporary Art

1 Performance Art 24

Original artwork Katherine Bernhardt

2 Public Art 38

Original artwork Yinka Ilori

3 Photography 60

Original artwork Tt X AB-Teresa Farrell Alvaro Barrington

4 Art & Political Change 76

Original artwork Lenz Geerk

5 Art & Feminism 90

Original artwork Katherine Bradford

6 Art & Representation 104

Original artwork Jon Key

7 Sound Art 122

Original artwork Salman Toor

8 Ceramics 134

Original artwork Shawanda Corbett

9 Art in the Margins 150

Original artwork Ana Benaroya

10 Cartoon Art 162

Original artwork by KAWS

How to Get Involved in Contemporary Art

Where & How to See Art 178

How to Create your Own Collection 192

Advice for Budding Artists 204

What to Read 216

Index 217

Picture Credits 221

Acknowledgements 223

Editorial Reviews

05/03/2021

Podcasters Tovey and Diament bring their show to print in this lively take on contemporary art and its impact on society. Parsing something as broad and subjective as “art” is no easy task, and Tovey and Diament do it without pretension, guided by the belief “that art is for everyone.” In that spirit, they discuss a range of subjects, from performance art to public art to photography, while also examining the political and social messages that go hand in hand with them—after all, they note, art reflects society (good and bad), and “people want to hear some personal stories, other voices.” To this end, they highlight artists such as Amoako Boafo, Toyin Ojih Odutola, and Stanley Whitney, whose stunning works celebrate life with emotion and intensity. Emphasis is also given to “outsider art” (which is made “outside the traditional art world conversation”) and the often-overlooked sound art. While the scope of the authors’ knowledge is impressive, the book’s standout trait is its successful effort to convince readers that art is a vital component of daily life. Heartfelt and informative, this serves as the perfect springboard for those curious about the wide and varied world of art. Agent: Paul Stevens, Independent Talent. (May)

Publishers Weekly

Heartfelt and informative, this serves as the perfect springboard for those curious about the wide and varied world of art.” —Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher